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Wacom release the darlin’ new Cintiq Companion 2

A little over a year ago, Wacom released their very first graphics tablet with onboard processing power, the Cintiq Companion. Now they’re back with the second generation Cintiq Companion 2, your all-in-one tool for creating on the go. With five different models to choose from, we’ve broken down what’s what with the new Wacom…

What is the Wacom Cintiq Companion 2?

Just about the most flexible graphics tab ever. Running Windows 8.1 and packing Intel Core processors, the Wacom Cintiq Companion 2 lets you run all your creative apps while you’re on the move. Edit images in Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud, create characters in Autodesk Mudbox or even just fire off a few emails (and check Twitter, obvs) – whatever your workflow, the Cintiq Companion 2 lets you get creating with all the precision and pressure sensitivity you’d expect from a Cintiq, but without needing a separate desktop/notebook machine to run everything from. We’re not usually ones to over-react, but it is truly awesome (we recently held an event at our Soho office to show off the Cintiq 27QHD and Companion 2, and you guys said the same).

So what’s new?

Fawning hyperbole out of the way, let’s look at what’s actually new in the Cintiq Companion 2 compared to its forebear:

– A simplified range that now allows users to work in full Windows 8 or hybrid mode on one device. This means the Cintiq Companion 2 will work as a fully functional mobile tablet running full professional creative software, as well as a Cintiq Interactive Display when attached to a Mac or PC.

– Improved CPU and graphics performance which enables the customer to run 3D applications properly.

What’s this about five different models?

So there are actually five models in the Cintiq Companion 2 range – Value, Standard, Premium, Enhanced and Enterprise (specs haven’t been released for this yet), the difference between each being memory (ranging from 4GB to 16GB), storage (from 64GB to 512GB) and processing power (ranging from Intel i3 to i7). The better specced models also come with Windows 8.1 Pro as opposed to standard Windows 8.1, as well as an additional stand and carry case.

These five models will replace the current old Cintiq Companion and Cintiq Companion Hybrid models:

Cintiq Companion 2

Model Name

Cintiq Companion 2 64GB Value

Cintiq Companion 2 128GB Standard

Cintiq Companion 2 256GB Premium

Cintiq Companion 2 512GB Enhanced

Cintiq Companion 2 Enterprise

Processor

Intel i3

Intel i5

Intel i7

Intel i7

TBC

RAM

4GB

8GB

8GB

16GB

TBC

SSD

64GB

128GB

256GB

512GB

TBC

Operating System

Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 Pro

Windows 8.1 Pro

TBC

Included Accessories

Pro Pen

Pro Pen, Stand & Carry Case

Pro Pen, Stand & Carry Case

Pro Pen, Stand & Carry Case

TBC

When can I get hold of the Cintiq Companion 2?

The first four models – Value, Standard, Premium and Enhanced – are available now from Jigsaw24 with an expected shipping date of the end of March. The Enterprise model hasn’t been released yet but we’ll update our website with more information as soon as it is.